Download High Density Precipitation Network in Minnesota

After the Storm
Grand Marais Flooding- June 2008
(Courtesy Cook County News-Herald)
Peter J. Boulay
State Climatology Office
DNR- Ecological and Water Resources
What happens to precipitation
(records)?
MNgage (Minnesota-area Volunteer Climate
Observing Program)
 Statewide density is about one gauge for
every 72 square miles (NWS is 625 square
miles) Cook County is 134 sq/mi
 Statewide there are 1,411 observers
 25 in Cook County (21 in SWCD) 4 SWCD
volunteers in 1990.
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MNgage is a “Network of Networks”
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SWCD (Soil and Water Conservation Districts)
National Weather Service Cooperative
Observers
“Backyard” Metropolitan Observers
Metropolitan Mosquito Control District
Department of Natural Resources Forestry
Other Networks (FFA, Deep Portage,Sewer)
Precipitation Observers
National Weather Service locations
189 observers
June 2004
Average spacing
of NWS stations
is 30 miles by
design.
Precipitation Observers
all locations including SWCD
1466 observers
June 2004
Design spacing for
SWCD gages is
‘every other
township’ (12 miles)
or better.
History of MNgage
The early
organizers
of the
network
attracted
media
attention
using
oversized
rain
gauges.
Data Gathering Methods and Retrieval
Interested individuals
and agencies
 Rain gauges and forms
 On-line data entry and
retrieval
 Annual feedback letter
 Annual quality control
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Employee of the Month
A Successful
Network
Interested
individuals
and agencies
Equipment
Most
observers
use 4-inch
plastic
gauges
Equipment
Observer
form
Data entry
Precipitation
data is
entered online
State Climatology Office web site:
climate.umn.edu
See all
your
data
back in
time…
Annual Quality Control
Benefits and uses
Storm water runoff
 In depth climate
investigations
 Flash flood
climatology
 Annual and special
summaries
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Data is used by a wide range of clients
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Federal/state/local
agencies
Wetland delineators
Lawyers
Media
Schools
Engineering firms
Weather hobbyists
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Consulting firms
Farmers
Insurance agencies
General public
Red Cross
Construction
companies
In Depth Climate Investigations
This map shows
the amount of
precipitation in
2013.
Departure From Normal 2013
Cook County was
near normal to 6
inches above
normal for the
year
Precipitation Rank in 2013
Southern Cook
County was in
the 95th
percentile for
precipitation for
2013.
North Shore Storm of July 18th, 2013
Highway 61
was closed for
a time south
of Grand
Marias.
North Shore Storm of July 18th, 2013
Parts of Cook
County
received a
month’s worth
of rainfall in
one day.
North Shore Storm of July 18th, 2013
I took this
moment to
drive from
Grand
Marais to
Lutsen.
(courtesy Cook County News Herald)
Climate Change
Climate Change
In 5 minutes
or less…
Climate Change: Northeast MN
Winter Temperature Increase of four Degrees per Century.
(courtesy climate at a glance: NCDC)
Climate Change: Northeast MN
3rd coldest
Winter in 120
Years!
Winter Temperature Increase of four Degrees per Century.
(courtesy climate at a glance: NCDC)
“Local” Climate Change
Grand Marais 1894 (courtesy Minnesota Historical Society)
“Local” Climate Change
Grand Marais 1915 (courtesy Minnesota State Climate Office)
Anything Different?
Grand Marias Today (courtesy US Army Corps)
More Changes
Downtown Grand Marias 2002 (courtesy U of M )
Persistent trough pattern keeping MN cool
What about the future?
What about the future?
What about the future?
What about the future?
Next Winter Temperature?
Next Winter Precipitation?
Any Questions?